CommSec Market Update

Oil prices surged overnight, but what’s behind the latest spike? Wall Street retreated as a sell-off in heavyweight tech and chip stocks added to the pressure from rising oil prices, while the ASX is poised for a slightly stronger open. Plus, why more Australians are making voluntary contributions to their superannuation. Join James Tao, Equity Market Commentator and Gillian Bowen, Head of M...

The Australian share market fell for a second consecutive session as materials and financial stocks led declines. The ASX 200 faced headwinds from weak iron ore sales negotiations with Chinese buyers and banking sector pressure. European debt concerns and US interest rate signals added to market caution. Energy stocks provided support on oil price gains amid geopolitical tensions. Key inflation da...

Fresh details from the Federal Reserve have revealed what drove last month’s US interest rate hike, but what could they mean for rates from here? Wall Street’s record-breaking run came to an end as investors reassessed the outlook for interest rates and energy costs, with the ASX poised to follow with a weaker open. Plus, why one of the biggest media deals in recent history could resha...

The Australian share market ended Wednesday slightly lower after a mixed session, with banks and materials weighing on performance despite gains in healthcare and property. Key movers included uranium miners, tech stocks, and dividend payers, while offshore markets hit record highs. US earnings season approaches this week. Steve Daghlian and Laura Besarati are Market Analysts at CommSec. Each epis...

Wall Street climbed to fresh record highs overnight, but which companies are driving the rally? Megacap and AI-related stocks were among the standouts as Treasury yields eased and investors looked ahead to the upcoming US earnings season, while the Aussie market is set to open flat. Plus, why Australian mortgage holders are proving resilient despite higher interest rates and falling property price...

The Australian share market continues its upward trajectory for a third consecutive session, buoyed by strong US leads and solid performance from miners and banks. However, consumer confidence surveys reveal deepening concerns about employment prospects and rising living costs. Tech stocks remain under pressure locally, while property shares rebound. Key developments include a trading halt on Dick...

Wall Street climbed to fresh record highs overnight, but what is driving the rally? Last week’s softer-than-expected US jobs report has eased expectations of another Federal Reserve rate hike this month, helping lift tech and AI-related stocks, while the ASX is poised to follow with a positive open. Plus, why Nike’s struggles are a reminder that even the world’s biggest brands ca...

The Australian share market opened with modest gains on Monday but faded through the session, finishing nearly flat as a long weekend holiday dampened trading volumes. Healthcare stocks led the way with several notable corporate deals, while semiconductor stocks benefited from US strength. Investors remain cautious as they digest recent bond market volatility and higher interest rates across multi...

Wall Street advanced on Friday after weaker-than-expected US jobs data eased expectations of another Federal Reserve rate hike this month. The ASX is poised to follow with a positive open as trading gets underway despite public holidays in some states, while oil prices eased after G7 countries agreed to release supplies from emergency reserves. Plus, why easing inflation doesn’t necessarily...

The Australian share market recovered on Friday, climbing back into positive territory for the week after Thursday's worst session in nearly seven months. Tech stocks surged while most sectors improved, though property continued to struggle amid rising bond yields. Investors digested mixed inflation data, ongoing geopolitical tensions, and the RBA's fourth rate hike of the year, with focus now tur...

The ASX is poised to rebound after a rough start to October, which saw the market suffer its worst session in almost seven months amid a global bond sell-off. Wall Street was relatively steady overnight as easing US bond yields helped offset concerns around a sharp rise in oil prices, while most metals fell as the US dollar strengthened. Plus, why electric vehicle sales are surging in Australia. J...

The Australian share market fell sharply on Thursday, posting its worst day in nearly seven months as broad based losses swept across all eleven sectors. Persistent concerns about higher interest rates and global tensions weighed on investor sentiment, despite mixed overnight leads from Wall Street. Key economic data and central bank decisions loom ahead this month. Steve Daghlian and Laura Besara...

Wall Street was mostly lower overnight despite softer-than-expected US inflation data reducing expectations of another Federal Reserve rate hike this month, while longer-term bond yields continued to climb. The ASX is poised for a weaker open after yesterday posting its best session in eight weeks as cooler Australian inflation eased expectations of another near-term RBA hike. Plus, why Australia&...

The Australian share market rallied strongly on Wednesday after softer-than-expected inflation data eased concerns about future rate hikes. The ASX 200 enjoyed its best day in eight weeks, with property trusts and consumer discretionary stocks leading gains. Property giant Lendlease surged after announcing an asset sale, while defence and mining stocks showed mixed performance. Markets now pricing...

Wall Street was relatively steady overnight as gains in AI-related stocks helped offset pressure from rising long-term bond yields, while oil prices retreated on signs of improving Middle East supply. The ASX is poised to edge lower as attention turns to today’s Australian inflation figures and what they could mean for interest rates following yesterday’s RBA hike. Plus, why the upcomi...

The Australian share market edged higher as the RBA raised the cash rate to its highest level in 15 years, with the decision unanimously backed by board members. The tech sector led gains, while property stocks struggled. Household spending data showed consumer caution, setting the stage for critical inflation figures due tomorrow. Steve Daghlian and Laura Besarati are Market Analysts at CommSec....

Wall Street fell overnight as rising oil prices fuelled inflation concerns and pushed US bond yields higher, after the US rejected a proposed peace plan from Iran. The ASX is poised for a modestly stronger open ahead of today’s RBA rate decision, with markets overwhelmingly expecting another rate hike. Plus, why many investors may be struggling to keep pace with the broader share market this...

The Australian share market edged slightly higher Monday as investors await tomorrow's crucial RBA rate decision, with all economists expecting a fourth hike this year. Financials led gains while materials declined, offsetting broader momentum. Trade tensions eased slightly following US-China tariff cuts, though geopolitical risks persist. Key catalysts ahead include the RBA statement, inflation d...

A key week for interest rates is underway with markets pricing in a more than 90% chance of an RBA rate hike tomorrow as investors also await fresh inflation figures. The ASX is poised for a flat open after four consecutive weeks of losses, while Wall Street ended last week higher as AI-related tech stocks rallied and oil prices eased. Plus, why the recent surge in Australian bond yields is attrac...

The Australian share market declined for a second consecutive session Friday, ending a turbulent week as investors brace for the Reserve Bank's widely anticipated interest rate decision Tuesday. With inflation remaining elevated and geopolitical tensions simmering, the broader mood reflects caution ahead of the central bank announcement and key economic data releases expected next week. Steve Dagh...

Oil prices surged overnight after a Houthi missile attack on Saudi Arabia revived concerns about supply disruptions, while rising US bond yields kept Wall Street subdued. The ASX is poised to open modestly lower as investors look ahead to next week’s RBA rate decision. Plus, why natural diamond prices have fallen to their lowest levels this century. Join James Gruber, Equity Market Strategis...

The Australian share market fell for the first time this week as unemployment unexpectedly rose to its highest level in five years. Mixed employment data sparked investor caution ahead of the Reserve Bank's rate decision next Tuesday. Energy stocks rallied on oil price gains, but materials and financials weighed on the index. Key upcoming catalysts include US jobless claims and dividend payouts fr...

Wall Street tumbled overnight as surging US bond yields, stronger economic data and renewed inflation concerns weighed on investors. Oil also climbed back above US$100 a barrel after Iran’s President vowed not to surrender to US pressure, while the ASX is poised for a sharp fall at the open. Plus, why government bonds aren’t always the risk-free assets they’re often considered to...

The Australian share market edged marginally higher on Wednesday as investors held their breath ahead of tomorrow's crucial jobs data. While copper prices hit record levels, supporting miners and dividends, most sectors struggled with bank weakness and mixed US leads offsetting gains. Key catalyst: Australia's employment figures tomorrow. Steve Daghlian and Laura Besarati are Market Analysts at Co...

The Nasdaq hit a fresh record high overnight as chipmakers and other AI-related stocks rallied, while hopes of diplomatic progress between the US and Iran pushed oil below US$100 a barrel. The ASX is poised for a modestly stronger open, with tech stocks likely to benefit from Wall Street’s AI rally. Plus, why a wave of major AI listings could dwarf decades of tech IPOs. Join James Gruber, Eq...